The Russellville Cyclones and Lady Cyclones track teams will face some of their toughest competition today at Cyclone Stadium when they host the Class 6A state track meet.

Russellville head track coach Charlie Goodman said he spent time looking at scores from incoming teams. The Cyclones will be competitive, the coach said, but he isn’t sure if anyone can defeat Texarkana.

“To put it in perspective, on the men’s side of the meet Texarkana scored 228 points in their conference meet. The team that finished behind them was Pine Bluff with 97 points,” Goodman said. “Lake Hamilton, who is always a contender in the boy’s division only scored in the 80’s. Texarkana is hands down the favorite to win this meet. I’m not sure any of us have a chance against them.”

The Cyclones won the 6A-East Conference meet in Greenwood on May 1 after failing to win a single meet all season. Goodman said he expected the Cyclones to compete like champions today.

“They are champions,” Goodman said. “They know they are. It ought to be a good meet.”

Goodman said Texarkana was also expected to perform well in the girl’s events.

Cyclone Stadium was equipped with two throwing areas for discus and shot put prior to the season. Goodman said it was a good draw for those interested in watching the field events.

“With our new throwing areas, if people want to watch field events, they can just sit right there and watch all of them. If they are a fan of the running events, obviously, you have the bleachers,” Goodman said.

Field events are scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. today, with track events beginning at 12:30 p.m. Pending a bout of inclement weather that is supposed to move through the state.

“We’ll have the meet one way or another,” Goodman said.

“Last year when we put this thing on, we had sleet the day before. In Northwest Arkansas they had snow for the 7A meet. If we get a little bit of rain, that’ll still be better than last year.”